Not just First Fish...

[iainjay]

Had a day to remember yesterday on Park Beat on the Dee.Arrived about 8:30 full of optomism in search of my first salmon.Met Keith the ghillie,really nice guy who immediately made me feel welcome.He approved my setup of floater,5' sinktip and a cascade size 10.We walk down to the Durris stream(beat4?) and immediately see fish splashing and leaping around and Keith points out likely spots then goes off to attend to the other rods.Now, I distinctly remember looking at my watch..9:10. All of a sudden I feel a pull.No panicnicking,I lift the rod and Yes,a fish on.I start winding in and the fish is gently coming towards me.This all seems quite straightforward and I'm beginining to think what all the fuss is......JEEEEEEEEESUS!!! It takes off downstream,nearly taking my finger off on the reel.I seem to do everything ok and after another run I bring it into the edge.The hook comes out easily and I'm now gently holding my first fish..15lb As I watch it swim off I'm aware now that I'm trembling all over.

A nice calming smoke and I'm back into the stream.No kidding,within 10 mins I'm into another one.Same drill,and after a good tussle I land a fish of about 5lb.A guy on the opposite bank above me congratulates me as I safely release it back into the river.Another ciggie and off we go again.Very first cast and.....YES into another fish.I play it in and after a short while get alook at it.Its not quite as big as the first but its beautifully silver.Just as I get it really close.....Gone!!

This is becoming a long post but hey! Anyway, just before lunch,Keith comes by just as I latch on to yet another fish.(well he didn't just come by..I whistled like an eejit to get some help)
Played the fish in to the side and Keith released it,a fish of about 9lb.
I'm still trembling as we head back to the hut for lunch and am now smoking like a Beagle,trying to calm down.

I'd like to say that the afternoon was more of the same but alas no.I had a couple of tugs but nothing more although saw plenty of fish.
A really cracking day though and one I know I'll never forget.Thanks to all the folk on here for the help,advice and encouragement.Cant wait to get back out.

Cheers

[elwyman]

Well done Iain, sounds like you had a great day - have you stopped trembling yet. ;D

A 15lb fish is a good way to start your salmon fishing career!

[Tyne Angler]

Superb, there will be no stopping you now!

[robbie]

Give up the Fags and you will be able to buy several more days like that!!!!

[iainjay]

OUCH!! Good point robbie.

[tyneandrew]

Great story, well done!

[robbie]

I did not mean to be churlish-sorry. I gave up the weed about 6 years ago and was smoking 40 a day. To help give up ,I would save up the money I would have spent on fags, and buy myself an expensive treat. At about £60 a week, I ended up with some pretty good pressies. Any way , it sounds like a grand day, one to remember ;D

[speycaster]

i gave up the weed in january this year 60 aday i still would like one now and then i also treat myself with the money having a week on the annan next year well done on your fish mate sounds like a great day billyp

[Fruin]

Iain,

Well done, you thoroughly deserved to catch a few.

[robmason]

Iain, well done. Thaks for sharing that with us. I hope you have many more similar days. Park seems like a great beat.

[salmondan]

Well done Iain

Excellent start to your salmon career.

[acw]

Well done sir ,
now to harp on with the others do quit the smokes ,I am nearly 2 months without them ,this weekend I kept up with young fit adonis like Sagefly on a long back to the car in waders stagger .
Two months ago would have been puffed out and need a sitdown before de wadering ,now no shortage of breath .
Money saved ,well theres a Marquis salmon#2 in the bag ,and Xmas may see a Perfect ,watch this space for some bargain Orvis Badged Magnums !!

[hornet]

Hey, Hey, Well Done Iain ,

I was looking at the catch returns for Park and was hoping you were one of the rods.

A 15lb first fish followed by more hook ups is just superb and what makes it even better you did not need the Park Shrimp .

Well done and good goin.

Cheers

Hornet

[salmonking]

Hope many more follow,,well done.

[williegunn]

Well done great start

[smokiesalmon]

well done ian. on the fly eh nice 1 m8

[kercock]

If there was anyone more deserving of a golden morning,I have'nt met him yet ;D
Fantastic,wish I could have been there Iain. ;D ;D

[greenbanks]

Watching Ian from the other bank was good fun.
It was another good day at one of the nicest beats on the river.
The gillies and guests contribute to a new forum below which has a lot of info about Park under river Dee section,subsection current conditions,please pop in for a look if you wish.
www.thebogfish.proboards91.com/index.cgi?
Well done Ian

[rpsalmon]

Greenbanks, you show desperation when you resort to this, not much difference to sending emails directly to persons in an attempt to attract them over. Having looked yesterday, I can understand why you feel the need.